Each member will visit the online contest website to create an account with a username and password of their choice and will set up an ENTRANT FORM (info about entrant). Once the account is established, the software will generate a new, filled-in ENTRY FORM (info about the entry), using the information provided, for each contest category entered.

For each new entry, Entrants click ADD ENTRY to review the categories, decide which one to enter, and then, through the UPLOADS tab, either upload the appropriate work sample(s) and supporting materials, or if the entry is available online, provide the URL to link to the work. Uploading an entry is similar to attaching a file to an email. Specific instructions for those who are not familiar with creating PDFs may be found in a purple box under the heading of Divisions and Categories on the Communications Contest page of the NFPW website.

Through VIEW/EDIT ENTRIES & PAY, entrant pays for the entry or entries once the work samples have been uploaded or URLs entered. An entrant can log out at any time, whether or not payment has been made, but until an entry is paid for and "submitted," it is not officially entered in the contest. An entrant can log back in to enter other work or to pay for previously submitted work. The contest software keeps track of all payments, and unpaid entries are marked Incomplete in red. Click "Incomplete" and finish off everything showing on the checklist. When done and entries are showing as Completed, a SUBMIT button appears. Click SUBMIT and the entry will show as Accepted in the Status column.

What is the deadline for the NFPW online contest?

State affiliate contest entries must be submitted electronically or postmarked by

Tuesday, January 23, 2018: Early Bird discount period ends.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018:Contest Deadline. A $25 fee will be added for the first entry submitted after January 23. All other fees remain the same.

National entries must be submitted electronically or postmarked by Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

My publication isn’t online and I don’t have access to a scanner. What do I do?

Most newsrooms have a copier with a scanner built in. Scanned material can be submitted as a JPG file. Many use Adobe InDesign and will be able to generate a PDF. Other options: visit your local library or an office supply store, which have scanners available for use.

Can I print out a copy of my entries?

Yes. Go to the VIEW/EDIT ENTRIES& Pay tab and click "Print" in the Print column on the left side of the page.

I write books. How will I enter the contest?

Authors who have a PDF of their books may upload the PDF. If available online, provide the URL.

Book in hard-copy format only, can be entered in categories 56A - 59F and 64 ONLY:

1. Fill out all parts of the online entry form on the Hard-copy Entries tab of the Entry Form.

2. Create a file in which you type up your name, the title of your entry, and that you are mailing your work to your state contest director. Save the file to your hard drive. In the UPLOADS section of the ENTRY FORM, add the file you just created in the first uploads field.

3. Go to the VIEW/EDIT ENTRIES & PAY tab on the HOME page and make the payment.

4. Fill in and print the 2018 NFPW Entry Form OR print and fillout the 2018 NFPW Entry Form, and mail two copies of it together with your work to your affiliate contest director who will send it to the judge.

Many categories require a one-page statement about the submission. How will I do that?

Descriptors for all categories requiring a one-page statement say: “Entrant MUST submit a one-page statement,” followed by a list of elements to include in the statement as well as a list of elements the “Judges will consider.” As in the past, the entrant will write a statement about the submission based on the information specified in the category descriptor. Save the statement as a Word file, and when you click the UPLOADS tab, upload the Word file in the first field of that part of the entry form.

The Specialty articles category requires two stories as an entry. How do I handle that?

To get the entry form, click the ADD ENTRY tab on the navigation bar. The form, with five small tabs across the top of the page, opens in the “Entry” tab position.The first field of the entry form asks for the title of the entry. Enter title of the first article followed by a semicolon, then the title of the second article. In the first available field on the UPLOADS tab, upload the first article. In the next available field upload the second article.

Is there a maximum per-entrant number of entries permitted in a given contest category?

There is no limit on the number of entries an entrant may submit in a category. People who choose to make more than one entry in a given category will, of course, be competing against themselves as well as anyone else who enters that same category.

My category requires me to submit only three articles. Why are there many more fields to enter?

The ENTRY FORM offers a sufficient number of fields through which all required pieces of any entry may be uploaded. Some categories require only one work sample. Some require a one-page statement and a number of work samples. Fill in only as many fields as required by the category you enter and leave the rest blank.

For PR entries asking for publication proof, will a PDF of the printed work sample suffice?

Yes. PDFs are proof of publication. If the entry resides online, write the URL at the top of the page before uploading or provide the URL for the page where the work resides.

For media kits, must I convert documents, including such things as a multi-page catalog, to PDFs?

Yes, PDFs, JPGs, DVDs are all acceptable formats. PNGs are not. If documents are online, a URL is acceptable.

What about three-dimensional entries?

For three-dimensional entries, photograph them and submit the photo files as part of the entry.

Some entries do not translate well electronically. The format and design is dependent on seeing and touching the piece, such as a brochure that has been die cut, embossed, folded in a special way or has unique paper. How will a digital contest take this into consideration?

The member should describe the special features in detail as part of the entry, either in a required one-page statement or, if no statement is required, write up the description in a Word file and submit that in the first upload field. In addition, photos may be uploaded to show the unique elements.

How do I handle the entry of a newspaper story that jumps to a second page? How do I indicate which story is the entry?

Mark or highlight the entry on the printed pages before scanning the marked sections. Try to capture the date of publication when scanning. The scan will yield a JPG file. Upload that file (or files if each page is in a separate file). If the article is online, submit a URL so the judge may link to it.

Will there be a way for the dinosaurs who do not use computers to still enter the contest?

Each affiliate should work with its members. NFPW recognizes that there are a few members who do not have computers. Options may include using a computer at the local library or hosting an affiliate contest meeting where WiFi is available and assisting members who do not have a computer.

JUDGING

I have judged contests, and I think it will be a challenge to review lots of entries online.

The judges' section of the site allows judges to review entries in stages, but, if needed, the entries easily can be printed.

Is there an option for judges to print entries and make notes on them as they judge them?

Yes, judges can print entries from the contest site.

Will judges have their own log-on and password to specific categories only?

Yes. judges will be provided their own username and password and will be able to see only the categories they judge.

How do we ensure judges do not suffer monetary losses (from printing entries) so we can continue to recruit them?

Most judges are familiar with online contests. Very few, if any, seem inclined to print entries.

If you have other questions or concerns, please contact us at DelawarePress@aol.com or by phone at302-655-2175.